In Canada, they often use the expression "Oi!", I just am wondering when they use it and why. Like give an example of a situation where "Oi!" might be said. I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I've really just always wondered exactly what it means there.
2006-12-28 08:45:29 · 9 answers · asked by Kiara 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I'm sorry if I sound like I'm being corrective, but it's "Oy" An example would be someone saying, "I saw my friend last night, and Oy was she drunk." Some people say "Oy Vey" too. It's like saying "Wow" or "Geez."
2006-12-28 08:53:27 · answer #1 · answered by sluggo1947 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Well.. is has various meanings like "Oy Vey" as an expression exacerbation but in England, Oi (spelled that way as well) is the equivalent of "HEY!"
example:
"Oi! what are you doing you lunatic, come over here and give me a cuddle!"
translation: "Hey you! how are you going to walk by and not greet me, come give me a hug!"
-My Englishmen vernacular
SouthEssex Baby;)
2014-01-19 15:02:30 · answer #2 · answered by MorrisTheSeahorse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Canada you may be thinking of the term "ey" which is sometimes used after a sentence but I could be wrong.
The term "Oi!" is also an English word and means "Hey!"...such as "Oi! You! What do you think you're doin'?" or "Oi! Come 'ere!!"
I'm not sure if it originated in the North of England but we sure use it a lot up there! I'm not sure if they use it in Canada though, unless you inhabiting somewhere with a lot of ex-pats living there?
EDIT : the French for yes is "oui" not "oi".
2006-12-28 08:53:20 · answer #3 · answered by toe_jam_on_toast 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
oi can also mean hey....
like when i try to get my english friends attention i say oi because that's what he's used to.
for example: oi! what's going on?
as opposed to: hey! what's going on?
2006-12-28 08:53:11 · answer #4 · answered by Decoy 2.0 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's an expression most often used by folks of the Jewish persuasion. The entire phrase is "Oy vey ist mir" and roughly, it means "Oh my aching head!" It's said when someone is irritated or upset over something. One can shorten it when one's not quite so irritated, but still mildly annoyed, and just say "Oy!" In that case it just means "Oh!"
2006-12-28 08:56:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In Brazilian Portuguese it means HI or Hello. In Yiddish it means "whoa is me!". Canadians I've heard say Ay? ~ meaning HUH? or Eh?
If it's a Yiddish Canadian of Brazilian decent... it could be anything.
2006-12-28 10:11:58 · answer #6 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some of my Portuguese friends say Oi, ALOT. They usually use it in fustration. *the computer is not working* OI!
2006-12-28 08:53:09 · answer #7 · answered by maverick 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In Canada they speak French/Canadian. In french oi! means Yes!
2006-12-28 08:50:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
In punk culture it often means "**** You!"
2014-01-06 16:42:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋